Mercedes-Benz to celebrate 25 years in India at Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally 2019

Mercedes-Benz is all set to celebrate its 25 years in India at the sixth edition of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally (MBCCR), which will take place on November 10 in Mumbai.

The first edition of MBCCR was organized by Autocar India in 2014 is among the biggest and most prestigious events of its kind in Asia. Moreover, it is also the only one of its kind in the country when it comes to classic car rallies. Autocar India will also celebrate its 20th anniversary during the event.

Over the last six years, participation in MBCCR has grown tremendously despite the limited number of vintage and classic Benzes that were imported into India. In addition to that, the variety of classic Mercedes on display has also seen a growth with time. The first edition of MBCCR only witnessed two 170V models. In 2018, there was nearly every body style (including a rare roadster) of the 170V in attendance, with a 230L Pullman for company. Also, part of the 2018 edition of the rally were stars such as a 1958 300 SL Roadster, a 1914 Benz Runabout, which is the oldest surviving Benz in India, and a couple of Adenaeurs.

A 1929 W08 Nurburg and an extremely rare 500 K roadster are among the perfectly maintained gems that are expected to be showcased at this invite-only event that has refreshed the classic Mercedes scene in the country. Autocar will also display some of the most prominent Mercedes-Benz models over the last 25 years, which have already become collectibles, world over. The list marks Maybach 62, an SLS AMG Gullwing and Roadster, and the W124, the first ever Mercedes-Benz model that was made in India. Also, alongside them will be every classic generation of the E-class and S-class in different body styles and the SL-class.

Mercedes collectors and classic car buffs who are expected to attend the event include Viveck Goenka, Chairman and Managing Director of the Express Group, Yuvraj Himanshu of Gondal, and industrialist Gautam Singhania.

“The cars on display range from the Benz Patent-Motorwagen to the Maybach 62, so that’s a century of cars from Mercedes-Benz. But, as importantly, the rally also represents the evolution of the motor car over the last 100 years,” said Autocar’s Perseus Bandrawalla, curator of the MBCCR.